In his second game handling both head-coaching and offensive responsibilities, Collin Klein sent Kansas State's offense out from its own 10 before halftime against Washington State. Avery Johnson's interception went back 50 yards for a touchdown as time expired. The Wildcats won 34-7, but that possession handed the Cougars their only points.
Klein's review was specific. He had more time than he realized and would have preferred to work toward field-goal range. The correction is about using the clock and choosing the right risks, not automatically shutting down the offense before halftime.
Tulane visits Saturday, September 19, at 11 a.m. Central on ESPN2. Kansas State has a 78.6% chance to win. Fans should expect a victory and watch whether Klein and Johnson can keep possessions moving without giving an opponent an easy way back into the game.
Klein remembers what happened when Tulane last won in Manhattan. He coordinated Kansas State's offense in 2022; asked Monday whether that loss remained in his mind, he answered, “No doubt.” In that defeat, Kansas State converted just 2 of 15 third downs and 1 of 5 fourth downs. Sustaining possessions is a particularly fitting way to change the experience this time.
Kansas State has converted 19 of 27 third downs through two games, including 10 of 16 against Washington State. Tulane just allowed South Alabama to convert 10 of 16 and hold the ball for 37:40. Keep extending drives Saturday. The Wildcats' early strength meets a defense that has struggled to get off the field.
Johnson has help keeping drives alive. Kansas State replaced four starting offensive linemen, yet the rebuilt line allowed no sacks against Washington State. Josh Manning caught 10 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, giving Johnson a frequent target as the new supporting cast settles in. Johnson supplied three touchdown passes and 78 rushing yards, but also threw two interceptions. Johnson can keep drives alive with his arm and legs; he needs to finish them without handing the ball back.
Rodney Fields Jr. earned the starting job after transferring from Oklahoma State and opened with 101 rushing yards against Nicholls. He retained the start against Washington State and gained 105 yards on 13 carries, while Joe Jackson contributed 10 carries and four catches. Fields is strengthening his hold on the lead role without leaving Jackson on the margins.
Kansas State also showed it could sustain a drive and restart after an interruption. That included an 18-play, 69-yard opening possession against Washington State, then Fields' 75-yard touchdown on Kansas State's first offensive snap after a 56-minute halftime weather delay. Those are two useful ways to control Saturday, make Tulane defend long possessions, and punish it when a bigger opening appears.
The defensive encouragement has names behind it, too. Wendell Gregory started against Nicholls, when Kansas State allowed 122 yards and Darien Whitaker supplied its lone sack with a forced fumble he recovered. Against Washington State, Gregory delivered two of the Wildcats' four sacks; the defense allowed 166 yards, no points and only two conversions on 12 third downs. Root for that pressure and those stops to continue, giving the offense room to make patient decisions.
Houston at Texas Tech: root for Houston
Friday, September 18, 7 p.m. Central on FOX. This is a long shot worth watching. Houston has a 9% chance to win, and an upset would put a conference loss on Texas Tech. That is direct help in the Big 12 standings race.
Kansas State's modeled conference-title-game chances are 25.3% if Houston wins, versus 18.3% if Texas Tech wins, a 7.1-percentage-point advantage using the unrounded values. The reward is substantial enough to enjoy the upset bid, but Houston is too unlikely to win to make it something the Wildcats should count on. Kansas State has one more home nonconference game Saturday before opening Big 12 play at Cincinnati next week. The interactive guide has the full probabilities, with the model explained in the methodology.
Then Saturday, when the clock runs low before halftime, watch Klein's call and Johnson's choice. Work toward points when the time and field position allow it; protect the ball when they don't. Kansas State can be ambitious without making the last possession of a half a gift.